Low cut sports shoe



March 4, 1969 J. F. DEE, JR

LOW our SPORTS SHOE Filed Sept. 8, 1967 M q i m r E em s INVENTOR. JOHNF. DEE, JR

Agra/m5):

United States Patent 3,430,365 LOW CUT SPORTS SHOE John F. Dee, Jr.,Notre Dame, Ind. (52540 Brooktrails, South Bend, Ind. 46637) Filed Sept.8, 1967, Ser. No. 666,358 U.S. Cl. 36-25 11 Claims Int, Cl. A431) /00,23/26 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Low cut basketball shoe havingresilient sole with friction tread surface, multi-ply fabric cover fortoe, instep and heel portions of foot secured to sole, tongue formed asextension of toe covering enclosed by lacing structure drawing coveringinto close fitting relation to foot. Reinforced rear portion of heelcovering generally S-shape in elevation with upper end nearer toecovering than end adjoining sole and at elevation about midway betweensole and extended end of tongue. Edges of covering between top of rearheel portion and top of lacing structure S-shaped in elevation, oval inplan and when drawn by lacing in circumferential close-gripping contactprevent foot withdrawal by exteriorly applied forces. Tongue extensionof inner toe covering secured to instep covering with filletedinterconnection.

My invention relates to basketball shoes and the like, particularly ofthe low cut type.

Basketball shoes formerly were a high upper type requiring an extensiveamount of lacing and the extended upper portion frequently caused aconsiderable amount of discomfort and sometimes injury to the wearersskin and tissue because of rubbing, chafing and other causes. Morerecently, players have acquired a decided preferance for the low cuttype and in general such shoes have been quite satisfactory. However, inthe play of basketball, a players heel is frequently stepped on and withthe forces so applied the upper edges of the shoe are incapable ofconfining the foot within the shoe. With the shoe removed, the playerlacks proper foot traction, cannot maneuver adequately and risks injuryin trying to do so.

While existing rules in professional basketball permit calling a timeoutfor replacing a shoe so removed, the high school and college basketballrules do not, and when a player loses his shoe in the college game hehas to retrieve and replace it whole play continues, placing his team ata considerable disadvantage. In any event, the injury risk issubstantial whenever a shoe is removed accidentally during play, as bystepping on the heel.

Another difiiculty with basketball shoes heretofore available is themanner in which the tongue is formed and secured on the inner surface ofthe shoe. The stitching and reinforcing of the tongue and adjoininginner surfaces of the shoe frequently produce wrinkles and other surfaceirregularities immediately over the toes and lower instep which causeconsiderable irritation and sometimes blisters in the continuous footflexing movements required in the play.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a simple,eflicient and durable sports shoe particularly adapted for use inbasketball games, which is of the lowcut type and When secured on a footof the user by drawing the top surfaces into circumferentialclose-fitting contact with the top of the foot, accidental removal byexternally applied forces is effectively prevented.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel tongue extension ofan inner ply of the sports shoe upper of generally T-shape with afilleted interconnection with adjoining inner ply surfaces soconstructed as to permit use of a reinforced stitching attachment andarranged for essentially wrinkle-free positioning after lacing.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple, durable andefficient sports shoe of the low-cut type having a novel shaping of itstop foot-enclosing portions and suitable reinforcing thereof to maintainthe foot of the wearer in close-fitting contact, and which iscomfortable at all times during vigorous foot movements and effective toprevent accidental shoe removal by externally applied forces.

Other objects reside in novel details of construction and novelcombinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be set forthin the course of the following description.

The practice of my invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings illustrating a typical sports shoe constructionembodying features of my invention and which is a preferred embodimentof such a shoe used as a basketball shoe. In the drawings, in theseveral views of which like parts bear similar reference numerals,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a sports shoe embodying features of myinvention with stitching reinforcement and a portion of users foot shownin dash lines;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the T-tongue assembly included in thesports shoe shown in FIG. 1 and viewed as if the external cover-ingplies or layers of the shoe upper had been removed; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan View of the heel and upperfoot-contacting portions of the shoe shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sports or basketball shoe generally designated10 comprises a sole portion 11 formed of a suitable flexible orresilient material, such as rubber, which is secured to a fabric upperportion 12, preferably a multi-ply material, to form an integralassembly. The sole portion 11 as shown is a rocker-type having a convexsole and a suitable tread surface (not shown), It is intended that inthe practice of my invention, the sole portion will conform to thestandards preference of the users. The material of the upper portionalso may be any suitable composition, preferably conforming to usersstandards, and usually is a durable grade of canvas. If desired, ascuff-resistant reinforcement 11x may be formed or secured on theforward toe portion of sole 11. If desired, color ornamentation such asstripes 20 may be provided.

The upper portion 12 as shown is of the low-cut type having specialshaping and construction features which will now be described, Forfunctional reference, it comprises a toe covering portion or cap 12a, aninstep covering portion 12b (vamp and top), tongue formed as anextension of toe covering portion 12a, heel covering portion 12d whichincludes a counter 12:: and backstay 12 (FIG. 3), and lacing structure12g having stitching reinforcement 13a and 13b. The counter 12s of heelcovering portion 12d includes an extra layer of fabric secured on thefabric of covering 12d by stitching or in any other suitable manner, andis stiffened to maintain a general S-shape in elevation by stiff butflexible reinforcing material (not shown) secured between counter 12eand backstay 12]. The upper terminal portion of the S-shaped contour hasa substantial concavity 12h which assists in providing the desiredconfining contact with the gripped portion of the wearers foot.

The top of the S-shaped contour is substantially nearer the toe coveringor cap 12a than its lower end adjoining sole 11 and is at an elevationapproximating one-half the vertical distance between the sole and theextended end of the tongue in its foot-covering position. In the scaleshown in FIG. 1, the proportioning is about as 7: 10. The top surfacesor edges of instep covering portion 12b have an Sshape between the topof counter 12c and the top of lacing structure 12g as viewed inelevation in FIG. 1, and said edges are in substantially ovalarrangement when viewed in plan as in FIG. 3. This shaping provides acircumferential close-gripping contact with the wearers ankle adjacentthe top of the heel, and the spacing of the edges when drawn into suchcontact by the lacing effectively creates a heel lock which preventsfoot withdrawal when the heel is stepped on. As shown in FIG. 1,suitable reinforcing such as stitching 14 keeps the upper contactsurfaces relatively stiff although they possess sufficient flexibilityto be comfortable to the wearer, If desired, ventilation may be providedfor the shoe interior by locating one or a plurality of eyelet vents 15on each side of instep covering portion 12b as shown in FIG. 1.

The sports shoe of the present invention which may be used in playingbasketball, volley ball, badminton, etc. has a novel tongue andfastening assembly referred to hereinbefore as the T-tongueconstruction, which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and2, The tongue 12c is a rearward extension of toe covering portion 12aand other elongated, rearward extension portions 17a and 17b at oppositesides of tongue 120 have a filleted interconnection therewith as shownat 18 in FIG. 2 and are secured to an inner ply or surface of theinstep-covering portion by stitching reinforcement 16 as shown inFIG. 1. Preferably, tongue 120 has a bordering stitching reinforcement19 extending around its outer end and throughout the length of its sidesincluding the filleted interconnections 18. This shaping and fasteningarrangement effectively avoids formation of wrinkles or other irregularsurfaces on the inner shoe surface over the toes and lower instep afterlacing, thereby preventing foot irritation and blistering underconditions of almost continuous foot fiexure. Although not shown, theinterior of the shoe will preferably have a slip sole and cushionedinner sole.

A shoe construction as shown and described permits free and full footand ankle action during the play of the basketball game with a positivefastening which prevents accidental shoe removal and provides good footsupport. The shoe is comfortable to wear, provides ample cushioning andventilation of the foot, and possesses suflicient durability to maintainthe structural requisites of its intended functioning over long periodsof use. The special shaping and fastening requirements of the assemblydo not add appreciably to manufacturing cost.

While the shoe construction features illustrated in the drawings anddescribed hereinbefore have particular advantage in low-cut sportsshoes, the T-tongue assembly and the heel lock feature also areadvantageous in high cut sports shoes, as the available types now on themarket are not effective at all times, in preventing shoe removal when aplayer steps on anothers heel. Also, the T-tongue assembly is effectivein preventing foot blistering which frequently occurs to players wearingavailable high cut shoes.

Another innovation in the shoe construction illustrated and described isthe provision of what was referred to hereinbefore as the rocker whichis illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown, the sole portion 11 includes aslightly elevated position of the tread surface at the forward end whenthe wearer is in a standing position. The heel portion is relativelyflat and is connected with another relatively fiat tread surface whichmerges in a slight curvature with the elevated forward tread surface.

Because of this shaping, the player distributes his weight on theintermediate and rearward portions of the sole in such a way that heobtains a heel lift effect tending to assume an on the toes positionduring movement which tends to give him better traction in such movementand a feeling of confidence that he has such traction when moving overthe polished floor surface.

The utilization of the features of my invention is particularlyadvantageous in the low-cut shoe, in that such shoe affords as muchankle protection to the player as available high-cut shoes and has theadvantages of comfort and freedom of movement which the high cuts do notpossess. It will be understood that the T-tongue, heel lock and rockerlast construction features of my invention may be embodied in shoesother than those shown and described herein.

I claim:

1. A sports shoe having a sole portion formed of a resilient materialincluding a friction tread surface, a multi-ply fabric upper portionsecured to the sole portion as an integral assembly and covering thetoe, instep and heel of a wearer, an elongated extension of an inner plyof the upper portion disposed rearwardly from the toe covering with itssides and rear end separated from the fabric upper portion and formingthe tongue of said shoe, a reinforced rear portion of the heel coveringof generally S shape in elevation with the upper end thereofsubstantially nearer the toe covering than its end adjoining the shoesole and at an elevation approximately onehalf the vertical distancebetween the sole and the extended end of the tongue in its foot coveringposition, the edges of the covering portion between the top of thereinforced rear heel portion and the top of the lacing structure being Sshaped in elevation and substantially oval in plan so as to be held incircumferential close gripping contact with the wearers ankle adjacentthe top of the heel, and the spacing of said top edges when drawn intoclose gripping contact by the lacing preventing foot withdrawal byexteriorly applied forces directed against the heel of the shoe.

2. A sports shoe having a sole portion formed of a resilient materialincluding a friction tread surface, a multi-ply fabric upper portionsecured to the sole portion as an integral assembly and covering thetoe, instep and heel of a wearer, an elongated extension of an inner plyof the upper portion disposed rearwardly from the toe covering with itssides and rear end separated from the fabric upper portion and formingthe tongue of said shoe, and rearward extensions of an inner ply of thetoe covering portion fitted against and secured to interior surfaces ofthe instep covering portion laterally of and in spaced relation to theforward end of the tongue.

3. A sports shoe as defined in claim 2, in which said tongue has afilleted interconnection with said inner ply.

4. A sports shoe as defined in claim 2, in which the separated sides andrear end have stitching reinforcement.

5. A sports shoe having a sole portion formed of a resilient materialincluding a friction tread surface, a multi-ply fabric upper portionsecured to the sole portion as an integral assembly and covering thetoe, instep and heel of a wearer, an extension of the upper portiondisposed rearwardly from the toe covering and forming the tongue of saidshoe, a reinforced rear portion of the heel covering of generally Sshape in elevation with the upper end thereof substantially nearer thetoe covering than its end adjoining the shoe sole and at an elevationapproximately one-half the vertical distance between the sole and theextended end of the tongue in its foot covering position, the edges ofthe covering portion between the top of the reinforced rear heel portionand the top of the lacing structure being S shaped in elevation andsubstantially oval in plan so as to be held in circumferential closegripping contact with the wearers ankle adjacent the top of the heel,the S-shape in elevation including a lower intermediate portion andascending forward and rear curved portions, and the spacing of said topedges when drawn into close gripping contact by the lacing preventingfoot withdrawal by exteriorly applied forces directed against the heelof the shoe.

6. A sports shoe as defined in claim 5, in which the S-shaped portion ofthe heel covering includes a substantial concavity adjacent its top.

7. A sports shoe as defined in claim 5, in which the sole portion is arocker last having a substantially fiat heel portion and a curvedportion extending under the toe and a substantial distance under theinstep covering.

8. A sports shoe as defined in claim 5, which is a low cut type and hasits oval portion at approximately the elevation of the top of thewearers heel.

9. In a sports shoe of the low-cut type having a sole portion formed ofa resilient material including a friction thread surface, a fabric upperportion secured to the sole portion as an integral assembly and coveringthe toe, instep and heel of a wearer, and an extension of the toecovering forming a tongue adapted to be enclosed by a lacing structurearranged for drawing upper surfaces of the instep covering insnug-fitting relation to the wearers foot, the improvement whichcomprises rearward extensions of the toe covering portion fitted againstand secured to interior surfaces of the instep covering portionlaterally of and in spaced relation with the forward end of the tongueand having a filleted interconnection with said forward end, areinforced rear portion of the heel covering of generally S-shape inelevation with the upper end thereof substantially nearer the toecovering than its end adjoining the shoe sole and at an elevationapproximately one-half the vertical distance between the sole and theextended end of the tongue in its foot-covering position, the edges ofthe covering portion between the top of the reinforced rear heel portionand the top of the lacing structure being S-shaped in elevation andsubstantially oval in plan so as to be held in circumferentialclose-gripping contact with the wearers ankle adjacent the top of theheel, and the spacing of said top edges when drawn into close-grippingcontact by the lacing preventing foot withdrawal 'by exteriorly appliedforces directed against the heel of the shoe.

10. In a sports shoe of the low-cut type having a sole portion formed ofa resilient material including a friction thread surface, a fabric upperportion secured to the sole portion as an integral assembly and coveringthe toe, instep and heel of a wearer, and an extension of the toecovering forming a tongue adapted to be enclosed by a lacing structurearranged for drawing upper surfaces of the instep covering insnug-fitting relation to the wearers foot, the improvement whichcomprises rearward extensions of the toe covering portion fitted againstand secured to interior surfaces of the instep covering portionlaterally of and in spaced relation with the forward end of the tongueand having a filleted interconnection with said forward end, stitchingreinforcement for the outer edge of said tongue extending around saidfilleted portion, a reinforced rear portion of the heel covering ofgenerally S-shape in elevation with the upper end thereof substantiallynearer the toe covering than its end adjoining the shoe sole and at anelevation approximately one-half the vertical distance between the soleand the extended end of the tongue in its foot-covering position, theedges of the covering portion between the top of the reinforced rearheel portion and the top of the lacing structure being S-shaped inelevation and substantially oval in plan so as to be held incircumferential close-gripping contact with the wearers ankle adjacentthe top of the heel, and the spacing of said top edges when drawn intoclosegripping contact by the lacing preventing foot withdrawal byexteriorly applied forces directed against the heel of the shoe.

11. A sports shoe as defined in claim 10, in which the upper portion isa multi-ply fabric, and the tongue and rearward extensions areextensions of an inner ply.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,581,783 4/1926 Bullock 36-252,004,897 6/1935 Lussier 3654 2,027,953 1/1936 Barbey, et al. 36452,235,694 3/1141 Wolfhard et al 36-54 X 2,995,837 8/1961 Ferreira 36-54X 2,995,839 8/1961 Cronin 36-9 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

U.S. 'Cl. X.R. 3654 Disclaimer 3,430,365.J0hn F. Dee, J12, N otre Dame,Ind. LOW CUT SPORTS SHOE.

Patent dated Mar. 4, 1969. Disclaimer filed Sept. 19, 1977, by theinventor.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 2, 3 and 4 of said patent.

[Oficial Gazette November 29, 1.977.]

